Shied

To quickly move away or recoil from something, often out of fear, embarrassment, or surprise. This action implies a sudden, involuntary avoidance. It can refer to physical withdrawal or a more metaphorical retreat from a topic or responsibility. The impetus behind the 'shying' can stem from various factors including intimidation, aversion, or uncertainty. It can be a physical or emotional reaction and usually takes place quickly and with little warning. It is also used metaphorically to describe someone who avoids something for similar reasons.

Shied meaning with examples

• The nervous horse shied violently when it saw the snake in the grass, nearly unseating the rider. Its muscles tensed and it quickly moved its body in the opposite direction of the frightening object in fear. It did this almost instantly.
• After dropping the plates, Sarah shied away from the kitchen, embarrassed by her clumsiness. Her face became red from embarrassment and she quickly walked away, leaving the mess behind. Her actions showed her distress.
• The politician shied away from answering questions about the scandal, deflecting reporters' inquiries with vague statements. His refusal showed his desire to avoid a difficult issue. He didn't want to answer the questions.
• He shied at the prospect of public speaking, his natural inclination being to avoid situations where he was the center of attention. He felt overwhelmed when he was the center of attention, so avoided it.
• The dog shied from the thunderclap, cowering under the table to escape the sudden, loud noise. The dog's action demonstrated its fear of the sound of the clap of thunder.